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Republicans Say No to Decriminalizing Marijuana

New York State senate republicans say they are not likely to go along with a proposal to decriminalize the possession of small amounts of marijuana.

Senate majority leader Dean Skelos says he’s willing to compromise with the governor’s proposal to change the possession of under 25 grams of the drug from a misdemeanor to a violation.

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Skelos says 25 grams is still a lot of marijuana.

Proponents of the change says too many people, especially young people and minorities in the New York City region, are arrested for small amounts, charged with misdemeanors and sent to jail.

The assembly has already expressed support for the governor’s plan. The reaction from law enforcement agencies has been mixed.

Norwich Accident Sends One to Hospital

A multi-vehicle accident on Route 12 in Norwich yesterday afternoon sent one person to the hospital and closed route 12 north of Mitchell Street for about two hours.

While crews cleared the wreckage, unconfirmed reports say the driver of a southbound vehicle lost control, hitting vehicles in the northbound lane.

No other information is available at this time.

Popolizio to pay $85,000

A Schenectady man has been told he must pay $85,000 for care of animals he is accused of neglecting.

Worcester town judge William Fischer gave kennel owner Frank M. Popolizio five business days to post $85,000 bond for expenses incurred by the Susquehanna SPCA for caring for 45 dogs and eight puppies now in the SPCA’s hands since January.

Tuesday, the Otsego County sheriff’s office brought new felony grand larceny and scheming to defraud charges against Popolizio for allegedly defrauding customers out of thousands of dollars. If convicted he could spend up to 26 years in prison.

Libous Says Government Productive Under Cuomo

With the current legislative session about to close later this month, state senator and deputy senate majority leader Thomas Libous says this year was as productive as last year, under Governor Andrew Cuomo’s leadership.

Libous says before the session ends this month the legislature must vote on the i-stop bill which will help curb the use of over-prescribed abused drugs. The governor and legislature have come to an agreement on the legislation and are expected to vote on it next week.

Emergency Management Agency Continues Work on Storm Cleanup

The Federal Emergency Management Agency says it has approved funding for nearly 8,000 projects across New York after Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee caused damage and loss nine months ago.

The agency says it has worked with local governments to restore roads, bridges, schools, government buildings and other damage, spending about $1.4 billion.

Fema has also provided help to individuals and home owners to the tune of about $153.

The federal agency will continue the work for a while in state, working on final estimates of damage and help that’s needed.

NYS Fair Chooses E-Tix as Ticket Provider

The New York State fair has announced its ticket provider for this year.

The fair will sell its grandstand tickets through a company called e-tix this year. The online ticket seller works with a number of fairs, performing arts centers and other events.

There will be a $3.75 service fee to buy tickets online or over the phone, plus a 3 percent service charge for credit card purchases. Fair officials say that’s about 25 percent less than the previous ticket seller charged.

The company also has a feature where a ticket holder can go paperless. The online ticket can be scanned from a smart phone or paper tickets can be printed from the box office upon arrival or on a home computer.

Tickets for the Keith Urban and Jason Aldean concerts will be available from the fair box office on Saturday June 16.

SUCO Policemen Leonard and Skovira to Receive International Honors

Sargent Nathanial Leonard and Officer Christopher Skovira will receive the annual award for valor from the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators.

The two helped an 81-year-old man who accidentally drove his car into a pond on campus last November.

The two heard pounding from inside the sinking car and rescued the man. Leonard and the victim were treated for severe hypothermia.

The award is presented each year.

 

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